Canadian tea drinkers- Red Rose tea - what happened to quality? (2026 Update) FAQ

I Googled and found an old post from 1999. They were comparing other teas to Red Rose. One that was recommended, although costing more than Red Rose was:

Thanks for the link. It is Tetley tea that was compared to Red Rose and I do recall drinking some at some point and it was okay. It's on my supermarket shelf and I don't think it's more expensive than Red Rose. I will be going out to buy some and hopefully their blend has not changed.

Roseanne, if you're not familiar with British teas or teabags...give PG Tips a try too if Tetley's doesn't suit you, PG Tips is a little more expensive, but I like it. I was also a Tetley's girl for a long time too though, until I got into loose leaf...

There is also a major brand called Typhoo which is a little different tasting than Tetley's but I liked it too.

Melinda

I also used to drink Red Rose, but i don't anymore for the same reason. I have found a Canadian tea which is the best I have had anywhere. It is called 'King Cold" (or Morse's) and is found in all Sobeys and most IGA's. Make sure the package says "with gauze". It is made by Barbour's out in New Brunswick. Let me know what you thought.

Thanks everyone for your input. I will definitely try the different teas and keep you posted as to who's comparable to Red Rose.

Roseanne

I still use Red Rose to make iced tea. It is the best iced tea I've ever drank. I have it down to a measured science.

Sorry, I ment "King Cole" not King Cold.

snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com/23/05

May I suggest a Bai Hao (AKA Oriental Beauty, Formosa Oolong, etc.) for iced tea. Try it. Make it strong. You'll thank me.

Best, Michael

I'll try it. Thanks Michael

I have used the Ten Ren Oriental Beauty in iced tea, and it works okay, but I think a CTC Ceylon is really a better choice. I tend to use the Nuwara Elya teas rather than the stronger Uva stuff, but the Uvas work nicely.

For something very odd, try a jasmine tea, even the typical 'yellow box' variety. I am not sure if I like the effect or not but I keep trying it....

--scott

Scott Dorseyd1us8j$6r3$ snipped-for-privacy@panix2.panix.com3/24/05 12: snipped-for-privacy@panix.com

scott,

You cannot say, CTC Ceylon is really a better choice. What you can say is, I prefer CTC Ceylon to Bai Hao. (Just clarifying.)

Michael

Well, you lose so much of the delicate flavour of the bai hao when you ice it. That's a real shame.

--scott

Scott Dorseyd1usu6$e5d$ snipped-for-privacy@panix2.panix.com3/24/05 12: snipped-for-privacy@panix.com

Well, to my taste, even a milder version of a decent Bai Hao is nicer than a richer version of a Ceylon, although I know there are many here who really love Ceylon teas. I'd recommend at least trying it -- those who like iced tea -- and making it strong so as to lose less of the flavor.

Michael

I have been a devoted Red Rose tea drinker since the old days. To me it has now lost it's distinctive flavour and tastes just like Salada. This is very unfortunate. Does anyone else agree and is there anything we can do or is this what happens when the big Yankee companies take over?? .

Yes, absolutely. I used to drink it exclusively, now i only use it if it is given to me in a restaraunt. If you want to try something alot better, try 'King Cole' tea, with gauze. You can get it at Sobeys and Loblaws.

Sometimes the tea changes, sometimes the taste changes ...

I grew up in Canada & always drank Red Rose tea. Moved to a border town in the U.S & Red Rose tea here really sucks. Last time to Canada I got 3 boxes of RR tea & it is now tasteless. Wing Lee said it was different 15 yrs ago but it was the same to me. I will no longer buy it in either country. Now the border is closed so hoping I can find an enjoyable orange pekoe tea here in the U.S. Any ideas?

PG Tips through Amazon.com.

After 45 years of exclusive Red Rose tea drinking, I just got a box of the new blend. OMG, what have they done? It's horrible!

I think they just bought the name, and put it on some really bad tea that no one would otherwise buy.

I have dearly loved Red Rose tea exclusively since I was a small child. Now my heart is broken, and I am truly insulted. "Just like that", my beloved has been taken from me. I feel so violated...

I only hope she is she is now serving herself as a fine cup of tea for the Angels in Heaven.